June 17, 2009: Apple releases iPhone OS 3, the third iteration of its cellular working system (and the final earlier than a reputation change). It provides Lower, Copy and Paste performance, among the many most requested options because the authentic iPhone shipped in 2007.
“iPhone 3.0 has greater than 100 new options for our clients,” says Scott Forstall, Apple’s senior vp of iPhone software program, as he demos the brand new working system in entrance of builders. “Let me stroll you thru only a few, beginning with Lower, Copy and Paste. So, we’ve been working actually laborious to design an easy-to-use, simple person interface for Lower, Copy and Paste on our giant touchscreen show, and we expect we’ve nailed it.”
iPhone OS 3 additionally brings a number of different new options, together with MMS, a panorama keyboard, help for audiobooks and iTunes video, and Highlight search, which customers can entry by swiping left on the iPhone’s House Display screen. And the Discover My iPhone app comes alongside for the trip.
iPhone OS 3: The iPhone grows up
When Apple launched iPhone OS 3 in 2009, it wasn’t simply including copy and paste, a beforehand lacking characteristic that appears virtually unfathomable looking back. Apple was proving that the iPhone was greater than a gadget — it was a platform.
Coming two years after the iPhone’s debut, iPhone OS 3 marked a turning level in cellular computing. It launched options that customers thought of important and laid the groundwork for the App Retailer increase that will redefine software program distribution. In the end, it helped remodel the iPhone into a worldwide normal for a way smartphones ought to work.
Lower, Copy and Paste involves the iPhone ultimately
As talked about, the addition of Lower, Copy and Paste corrected a high-profile omission from the iPhone’s authentic working system. Whereas newer iPhone homeowners could not see the large deal about this improve, contemplate that there was a time when the power to ship somebody a hyperlink inside a textual content message — with out having to laboriously sort out the complete URL — was one thing Apple customers celebrated.
Simply hearken to the applause after Scott Forstall exhibits how the characteristic works within the video beneath!
Discover My iPhone arrives with iPhone OS 3
One other massive characteristic launched alongside iPhone OS 3 was the Discover My iPhone app. Initially requiring a $99-per-year subscription to Apple’s MobileMe service, it will definitely developed into the free asset-tracking iCloud characteristic Discover My.
Within the years since, Discover My has helped folks recuperate misplaced Apple merchandise in addition to automobile keys and different possessions connected to AirTags. It has even helped dad and mom find kidnapped youngsters!
iPhone OS 3 was extra of an general enchancment than a large rethink of Apple’s cellular working system. But it surely was a big step ahead that made all of our iPhones higher. It was additionally the primary model of Apple’s cellular working system to make it to iPad when the pill arrived in 2010.
iPad help arrived with iOS 3.2, when Apple modified the working system’s naming conference from “iPhone OS” to “iOS.”
Do you’ve fond/not-so-fond reminiscences of iPhone OS 3? Go away your feedback beneath.
